How to Plant Knock Out Roses

Overview

With their easy care, Knock Out roses have been a favorite among gardeners since their introduction in 2000. These roses are extremely disease-resistant and bloom continuously throughout the growing season.

Step 1

Select a site for the Knock Out rose. Roses require six hours of full sunlight every day. They need moisture-retentive, rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.8. Select a garden location that gives the mature rose plenty of room to grow.

Step 2

Amend the soil a month before planting the rose. Till the soil 2 feet deep and remove weeds and garden debris. Test the soil using a soil testing kit. Add hydrated lime to increase the alkalinity or sulfur to increase acidity. Mix in a generous amount of well-rotted compost or manure.

Step 3

Plant the rose bush when all threat of frost has passed. Dig a hole 2 feet deep by 2 feet wide; put the soil on a tarpaulin or into a wheelbarrow. Gauge how much soil was removed from the hole, then mix that much peat moss, potting soil and mulch in the wheelbarrow.

Step 4

Shovel the new potting mixture back into the hole until it is half full. Fill the hole with water. Use your shovel to mix the water and potting mixture--it will have the consistency of unset pudding.

Step 5

Place the Knock Out rose into the hole and have someone hold it so that the bud union--the part where the roots and canes meet--is above the ground. Shovel the soil mixture into the hole until the mixture is firm. Tamp the soil gently.

Step 6

Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch under the rose bush and mound it to cover the bud union. Use the mulch to build a dam about 1 foot away from the rose bush to help retain water as the plant settles into the garden.

Step 7

Water the Knock Out rose every day until it shows signs of new growth, then begin reducing the mulch from around the bud union.